Thursday, June 2, 2016

OFF THE WIREhttp://www.motorcycleprofilingproject.com/fight-against-mo…/
Don't believe profiling takes place? check out this video from the
Motorcycle Profiling Project, learn your rights, know the law, and be
prepared if this happens to you. Today, mostly patch holders, tomorrow
it could be you. Absolute profiling and extending the time of detaining
these riders past the reason for the stop, which was false in the first
place.
An organized and mobilized response by motorcyclists in Nevada and
Utah protesting the policy of motorcycle profiling embraced by law
enforcement in St George, Utah appears to be having success. Recent
grassroots motorcycle efforts culminated in a protest run to St. George
on May 7, 2016 in which there were zero examples of profiling or
harassment and a tangible effort by the St. George PD to change their
behavior and treatment of motorcycle club members riding in their town.

“Sgt. Williams of the SGPD made statements…admitting
to targeting individuals because they are members of motorcycle clubs in
order to discourage them from riding their motorcycles in St. George.”

“The arrogance of these statements proves a fundamental lack of
understanding related to basic constitutional principles related to the
1st Amendment and the 4th Amendment. Utah motorcyclists should unify in
an effort to pass legislation addressing the issue of motorcycle
profiling and reduce the mentality currently exercised by the St. George
PD.”

The MPP response was widely accessed through search engines and
social media. Local news media and news outlets were also sent the
story. The blatantly discriminatory statements made by a Sgt. were
widely exposed.

In fact, many motorcyclists were outraged by Sgt. Williams statements
and commented extensively on social media with opinions of their own.

Motorcycle rights activists in Las Vegas capitalized on the momentum
and organized a run to protest St. George’s policies of discrimination
on May 7th. Although the weather was bad, approximately 100 motorcycles
made the trip from as far away as Las Vegas to join the protest.

The motorcycle club member that organized the protest has reported to
the MPP that there was not a single incident of profiling in or around
St. George during the protest. In fact, SGPD Sgt. Hepler reached out to
event organizers before the event to ensure them that there would be no
profiling issues and even suggested less congested routes due to another
unrelated event happening that same day in St. George.

According to the event organizer:

“It was the most respectful polite conversation I’ve
ever had. Sgt. Hepler called to let us know they were having an
International Ironman Competition and to give me best directions so
there would be no conflict. He said to call him if any cops
gave us any trouble and said he wanted to come by and shake my hand if
possible.”

Importantly, the MPP video released on April 28th reveals officers on
the scene confirming that Sgt. Hepler was the source of the policy of
mandatory profiling of motorcycle club members that led to the
discriminatory stop in the first place. This same Sgt. acted in a
completely different manner when a grassroots movement exposed an
irrefutable policy of profiling.

The protest ride organizer says, “Sgt. Hepler was at the shop
where the protest ride began when I arrived. He later texted that it
looked like a good turnout and said to have a fun and safe ride.” And Sgt. Hepler lived up to his word. As stated, there were zero profiling incidents that day in St. George.

These results are a testament to an organized and active grassroots
movement. From political media to the feet on the ground, motorcyclists
are responsibly protesting discrimination and achieving near
instantaneous results in St. George. Time will tell if this change in
behavior will be long-term. What does appear to be long-term is the
resolve of the motorcycle club community to fight for their civil
liberties.